Gorilla Trekking and Safari in Rwanda: Gorilla trekking is one of the few adventures that guarantee you unforgettable encounters in the jungle. A gorilla trekking tour and safari in Rwanda offers a lifetime opportunity for you to step foot into the vibrant rainforest full of fresh air and melodious sounds of nature to search for a group of mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking is the leading adventure when it comes to any Rwanda safari.
Being the most sought for adventure that guarantees lasting memories, embarking on the trek requires adequate preparation. With our complete travel guide, expect an epic gorilla safari holiday in the Land of a Thousand Hills led by a truly tested expert.
What is gorilla trekking in Rwanda all about?
Rwanda gorilla trekking and safari entirely involves trekking through the natural forest in search of a family of mountain gorillas in their natural setting. It is a thrilling adventure that allows visitors to observe mountain gorillas in the wild and take pictures. This is the rare opportunity any primate adventure seeker shouldn’t miss on a Rwanda safari.
During the gorilla trekking and safari in Rwanda, expect to be accompanied by an experienced park ranger guide. The official from Volcanoes National Park present does the briefing and also allocation of park ranger guides. In each session, a maximum of 8 (eight) visitors are allowed to trek only one habituated gorilla group.
Visitors can spend between 2 and 6 hours but the duration may vary depending on your hiking speed, nature of the habitat, location of the gorillas, and other factors. Once a gorilla group is located, you can take 1 hour which is designated for you to learn more about gorillas, their behaviors, social structures, and also explore the challenges they encounter to survive.
Trekking Adventure with Mountain Gorillas
Gorilla trekking and safari in Rwanda ushers you deep into the misty Virunga Volcanoes and jungles set in the Northwestern Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is the place to consider for magical encounters with mountain gorillas in the wild. The gorilla trek expedition comes with lots of anticipation, wonder and magical moments finding these large apes in the wild.
What should you expect?
Visitor gorilla trek starts with early briefing at the park offices of Volcanoes National Park in the Kinigi area. At Kinigi, you can meet the official to take you through the guidelines also referred to the gorilla trekking etiquette or safety measures.
The actual trek: This involves embarking on a guided hike through the scenic rainforest with the park ranger guide on the lead. The adventure involves winding through the bamboo forest, verdant meadows, and volcanic slopes. The entire trek lasts for 2-6 hours which includes an hour of observing how these apes behave and taking pictures.
How does gorilla trekking in Rwanda compare to other countries?
Rwanda is undoubtedly home to some of the few mountain gorillas that are left on the planet earth today. Mountain gorillas reside only in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, each destination having a unique experience to share with the world.
Rwanda gorilla trekking and safari introduces you to the lush bamboo and rainforest in Volcanoes National Park to explore the 13 habituated gorilla groups. The Rwanda gorilla families worth encountering include Karisimbi (Susa B), Sabyinyo gorilla group, Umubano family, Amahoro, Hirwa. Agashya, Bwenge group, Titus gorilla group, and other families.
Each of the habituated families of gorillas in Rwanda is open for trekking by a maximum of 8 (eight) guests. Participating in the trek with Rwanda gorillas is done by only persons with valid permits and each costs USD 1500 per visitor.
Can I trek gorillas in Rwanda and also go for wildlife tour?
Gorilla trekking and safaris to other destinations in Rwanda can be conducted in the combined itineraries. Talk to the expert to plan and book a combined gorilla safari, wildlife tour, and cultural safaris. Gorilla trekking tours can be combined with the Big 5 game viewing in Akagera National Park or combined it with chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk.
How fit should you be to trek gorillas?
Before you come across a family of gorillas, you must walk through the forest and high elevation. You must have some level of fitness to be able to complete the entire journey of exploring gorillas. The best you can do before embarking on the actual trek is to conduct thorough practice as a way to make yourself get used to the high elevation.
Useful tips on how to pack for a gorilla trek safari in Rwanda
Choosing wisely the items to carry for your gorilla adventure should be a must. Among the things to pack for a gorilla trekking Rwanda safari include long-sleeved shirts, insect repellents, a camera that is free from the flashlight, strong and waterproof hiking/walking boots, a sweater, long trousers, a daypack, a rain jacket, and first aid kit. Packing right is good and choose safari clothes that blend well with the natural environment.
Is gorilla trekking safe?
Gorilla trekking is generally safe and secure considering the various guidelines given for tourists to observe. The safety guidelines are provided for ensure safety of gorillas and visitors.
The cost of Rwanda gorilla permit
Gorilla permits should be included on the gorilla trekking cost each available for booking at USD 1500 per visitor. You can also target the off months to book discounted permits including USD 1050 per person an offer that translates into 30% discount. It can be booked provided that you plan to visit Akagera National Park/Nyungwe Forest Park in addition to Volcanoes National Park. This duration in the additional parks should be 3 days or more, especially during the low or off months of the year. The low months in Volcanoes National Park begin from March to May and October to November.
Additional discounted gorilla permits worth booking include USD 1275 on conference visitors who consider staying pre or after MICE events to see gorillas. USD 15000 available for private gorilla trekking tours on the entire gorilla family and comes with personalized tour guide services.
Behind-the-scenes experience is available at USD 30,000 and accommodates a minimum of 3 guests for a period of 3 consecutive days. Both gorilla permits & tours in Rwanda is safe and easier booked through the reliable tour operator like Native Africa Tours.
When to travel to track gorillas in Rwanda
Visitors with plans to track gorillas in Rwanda can consider traveling to Volcanoes National Park at any time of the year. This is considering the favorable weather conditions, however, the dry months are exceptional and are the best for gorilla trekking. The dry months run from June to September then from December till February of every travel calendar. They mark the long and short peak seasons with the gorilla parks receiving low or no rainfall.
The rest of the months mark the off or low season and they run from March to May then October to November. These are the months when Rwanda or Uganda gorilla safari parks record the lowest number of trekkers. There are lots of interferences that define the low or rainy season/months.
Getting to Volcanoes National Park to track mountain gorillas
Volcanoes National Park is reachable by road, approximately 2-3 hours’ drive from the heart of Kigali. You can also utilize the flight arrangement whereby you depart from Kigali Airport and land at the Musanze area.
